BirdAnalyst
Species · BCR 35 · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Northern Bobwhite In Chihuahuan Desert

All regionsChihuahuan DesertGrassland birds

Northern Bobwhite in Chihuahuan Desert has surged: up 240% on the route-weighted index since 1975.

+240%Since 1975TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
13Routes In RegionSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
48YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable SignalsNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

long arc increasecomputed indexTrend sourceWhether the figure is our own computed route-weighted index or an official USGS modeled estimate. The current build labels every trend as computed.Full methodology →

Northern Bobwhite has surged in Chihuahuan Desert: up 240% on the route-weighted index since 1975.

Northern Bobwhite In Chihuahuan Desert Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Northern Bobwhite in Chihuahuan Desert is projected to fall about 64% by 2029 — from 2.3 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.82 (95% range 0.00–2.3). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±65.3%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-64%Change by 2029TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
0.82Projected 2029 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–2.395% range95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
±65.3%Backtest errorBacktest errorTypical error when we hold out the most recent years, forecast them, and compare to what actually happened. Lower means a more trustworthy projection.Full methodology →
If the recent trend holds, Northern Bobwhite in Chihuahuan Desert is projected to fall about 64% by 2029 — from 2.3 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.82 (95% range 0.00–2.3). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±65.3%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19692029
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →95% low95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →95% high95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
20250.830.002.4
20260.830.002.4
20270.820.002.4
20280.820.002.4
20290.820.002.3

Routes In Chihuahuan Desert

Routes recording Northern Bobwhite in Chihuahuan Desert.
Recent countThe raw number of individuals recorded on this route in its most recent survey year. A single-route tally, not a trend.Full methodology →
Devils R CynTEXAS472024
ComstockTEXAS462023
LongfellowTEXAS92024
PumpvilleTEXAS82024
GirvinTEXAS42017
LangtryTEXAS42000
Bitter LakeNEW-MEXICO22016
OzonaTEXAS22022
Ft. StocktonTEXAS22018
Coyanda DrawTEXAS22024
LakewoodNEW-MEXICO12013
Casa PiedraTEXAS12009
ToyahvaleTEXAS12000

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22.